IT NEVER RIANS BUT IT POURS

ARMAGH manager Kieran McGeeney has cast serious doubt as to whether talisman Rian O'Neill will play any part for the Orchard county in the 2025 season.

- JOHN O'DOWD

Following Saturday night's 10-point League defeat to Kerry in Tralee, McGeeney said that it will be a “good while” before last year’s All Star is back on the pitch.

“We'll not see Rian for a good while, I would say,” he admitted, before being asked if O'Neill would be back in time for the upcoming Championship, and the defence of the All-Ireland title.

The Armagh manager added: “I would doubt it. He just has his own sort of stuff going on, and as I said, I don't like to go into fellas’ personal lives.

“You just have to respect that and let him do what he has to do.”

On the performance at Austin Stack Park, the Armagh boss wasn't pleased with a first half showing that saw them trailing by 13 points at half-time (2-13 to 0-6).